R500

[jamie]

Would do both could hit Louth on the Sat night again (hopefully they have dried out since last time )

[thinfourth]

I think that (not speaking from experience yet) that the Caterham kit builds are more assembling, rather than building IYSWIM, and are incredibly simple. All the dash, wiring and fiddly bits are already completed, so its bolt on the bits and drop in the engine (looks like the most challenging bit).

I think the cost reflects how easy it really would be.

Hardest bit is setting up the geo on the front suspension or maybe getting the diff in. Dropping the engine in is childs play just it is overplayed by those that have built the car. But that said i did have a forklift to help put the engine in place which did make things considerably easier as you can get a good angle of dangle but easily doable with and engine crane and a bit of brain power

IF you have all the bits then you could build one up in a weekend with the assistance of a few experienced mates

[Modena Scotland]

Might as well do both

[thinfourth]

or yu could just buy this

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/528297.htm

[thinfourth]

Have you had a Caterham before? Do you know what I should be looking for when viewing one?

I am the owner of the infamous banana the worlds first rat look caterham

What to look for on a 7 is quite different to other cars. Most important is the condition of the chassis and the powercoating on the chassis. You want to have an eyeball and check that all the chassis tubes are arrow straight and the powder coating is in good condition. But if you are going for a R5/400 then they are of the age that the finishing on the chassis is alot better. The other thing to have a really good eyeball is the rear axle as there has been a few failures of them. The dreaded blatchat is a good place to find info but be warned that is called blingchat due to the love of expensive solutions to cheap problems.

The bodywork is very soft alloy so it can easily pick up dings and stonechips are unavoidable.

Suspension and steering the normal checks that everything looks straight and clean. The A frame bush is a weak point but easy to change. Front suspension has no popular weak points.

Engine and transmission. This is wear newbies to caterhams are caught out. Due to the total and utter lack of insulation it will feel and sound like a bag of bolts, the gearbox will whine and chatter, the diff will be clunking away behind your butt.

Loads of knowledge out there it is just a case of finding it.

[Gareth]

Mass,
When I looked at my 7 I took Paul (Thinforth) with me.
As long as you can put up with his chat of large spinny things (Diesel engines) and block out his chat of just buy a RSA take him along for any 7 viewings.
He's in Abz so either him or Dave Logan could look at ones north for you.

Remember though, call me for the 360 ride

[Modena Scotland]

Thanks Paul.

Can I contact you if I am interested in a car close to you?

[thinfourth]

Is it an orange one?

[Modena Scotland]

No Paul, an yellow R500.